Walker Mayor Phil Martin retires

by Neoma Foreman

The City of Walker Board of Aldermen met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25.  The Walker City Council dealt with water and mud everywhere on the city streets, problems with the water pump and the sewage equipment.

Everyone should take their turn serving on local boards and committees and see how much effort is expanded by these volunteers, overworked and understaffed people.

This meeting marked a milestone as to the retirement of Phil Martin as mayor. He has served tirelessly for thirty years as did his mother, the late Berniece Martin, for twenty years before him. At the end of the meeting, Mike Newman thanked Phil for all his years of service.

Phil gave some words of wisdom as to the works of the city especially in the area of finance. “Now you know why I lay awake some nights and wonder where the money is coming from to pay for everything. We have money budgeted for certain things and it’s not wise to borrow from it to pay something else. That can lead to bankruptcy.”

Members of the City Council were joined by the Walker Community Betterment Association members in enjoying sharing a cake in honor of Phil and thanking him.